Channel Switching Valve Adjustable Spring Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional channel switching valves in liquid chromatographs face issues such as increased rotational torque, fluid leakage, and reduced lifespan due to wear and tear of contact surfaces, as well as the 'linking' phenomenon when using hard materials, and the inability to adjust pressing force according to flow pressure.
Innovation Solution
A channel switching valve with an adjustable urging force system using an elastic member and protruding/recessed patterns on connecting surfaces, allowing the stroke of the elastic member to be changed, thereby reducing the pressing force when liquid flows under low pressure and enhancing valve durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the rotor is made of soft material such as resin, then the contact surface can be easily formed, but the contact surface is worn out due to prolonged use, leading to increased rotational torque and fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the rotor from soft resin to hard material (stainless steel or ceramics), fundamentally altering the wear characteristics. This allows the rotor to maintain contact surface integrity over prolonged use while still being manufacturable through standard machining or polishing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction where the rotor is made of hard material (stainless steel or ceramics) combined with a sealing ring made of soft material. This composite approach allows the rotor body to resist wear while the sealing ring provides the necessary sealing function, resolving the contradiction between manufacturability and durability
2Reliability
If the rotor is pressed against the stator by great force to prevent liquid leakage, then sealing is improved, but the contact surface is scraped off and scrapings are generated, causing deterioration of the column
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material hardness parameter of the rotor from soft resin to hard material (stainless steel or ceramics). This parameter change eliminates the scraping issue while maintaining sealing through the combination of hard rotor surface and soft sealing ring, preventing harmful scrapings from entering the column
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the rotor is made of hard material such as ceramics, then scrapings are not generated, but surface roughness must be reduced and high flatness achieved to maintain sealing, and mirror-polished surfaces may adhere to each other
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different material properties to different parts: the rotor body is made of hard material (stainless steel or ceramics) that generates no scrapings, while a soft sealing ring is added at the contact interface. This local differentiation allows the use of hard materials without requiring extremely high surface flatness, as the soft sealing ring compensates for minor surface variations
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of hard rotor material (stainless steel or ceramics) with soft sealing ring creates a composite contact interface. This composite structure eliminates scrapings while reducing the stringent surface flatness requirements, as the soft sealing ring adapts to surface variations and prevents the linking phenomenon
4Reliability
If the rotor is pressed against the stator by constant great force, then liquid-tightness is maintained under high pressure, but the rotor is significantly worn out and lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the rotor from soft resin to hard material (stainless steel or ceramics), which fundamentally reduces wear. This allows the valve to maintain liquid-tightness under high pressure while significantly extending lifespan by reducing the wear rate at the contact surface
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable urging force system reduces wear and tear, extends valve lifespan, and prevents fluid leakage by adapting to varying flow pressures, improving the overall performance and longevity of the valve.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member which urges the rotor toward the stator
Implementation Method 2
a protruding portion formed on the contact surface of the stator and a recessed portion formed on the contact surface of the rotor at a position opposite to the protruding portion in the radial direction, wherein the recessed portion comes into contact with the protruding portion when the rotor is viewed from the axial direction and rotated about an axis line extending in the axial direction, and the stroke of the elastic member is changed according to the position at which the recessed portion comes into contact with the protruding portion
Data Source
AI summary
A channel switching valve is disclosed. The channel switching valve has a stator and a body section each having a connecting surface. The stator and the body section are removably fixed to each other by bolts at their connecting surfaces. Each of the connecting surfaces has a protruding/recessed pattern formed thereon, and the patterns are designed to fit into each other. By rotating the stator and the body section relative to each other, the stroke of a spring is changed between a position where the protruding/recessed patterns of the stator and the body section are fitted into each other and a position where they are not fitted into each other. The spring is held in the body section in its compressed state to urge the rotor toward the stator. An urging force for pressing the rotor against the stator is adjusted by changing the stroke of the spring.